A programme I love. Aside from the legend we all know & love, this BBC drama had everything and I enjoyed it more and more as it progressed. Right up until the very sad news that proclaimed it would be no more...
Colin Morgan was quite wonderful as the sorcerer, Merlin. Having to fulfill his destiny in protecting Camelot & Arthur, and yet also having to hide the fact he has this most wonderful gift of magic. For him, a blessing and a curse. And yet I was watching it, aching for the moment when he would finally reveal his true self to Arthur.
Bradley James as Prince/King Arthur displayed the right amount of arrogance which goes with someone of privilege, but was also someone who you ended up caring about. Arthur became someone who matured, especially when he finally became King and learnt about all the responsiblities which came with that title.
Richard Wilson was a revelation as Gaius, the court physician. I suppose Victor Meldrew is a hard character to shrug off, but there was absolutely no sign of him here. And he played Gaius with the right amount of knowledge & assurance for the role he held at Camelot, and yet with tenderness & care for Merlin, the son he never had.
Katie McGrath as Morgana was equally as good playing the evil sorceress. Her character getting progressively more obsessed in trying to defeat Arthur and claim the throne for herself. Her journey from being the kind but strong-willed King's ward to the witch she became was one of the highlights for me of the Merlin drama.
And then there was good Queen Guinevere. Another character who had a real journey in going from a maid to ending up ruling the land of Camelot. Beautifully played by Angel Coulby. Guinevere was feisty but compassionate with a heart of gold. It didn't take Arthur long to know where his heart lay. And, once Lancelot perished, Guinevere gave her heart freely to Arthur in return.
There were so many other great characters, ranging from Arthur's noble Knights, to the lovely Lancelot, from Mordred to Uther Pendragon. All wonderfully played. Even Kilgharrah (the great dragon), superbly voiced by John Hurt, had a hugely important part to play. In fact, John Hurt's voice used as the narrator at the start, as well as the dragon, was another enormous highlight of Merlin for me.
The drama was aimed at a family audience. Although some story lines were quite dark, there was enough wit & humour to more than balance out any of that.
The 'bromance' which Arthur and Merlin played out was so lovely to watch. The banter they displayed on screen was a joy and was the glue which kept the entire show together.
But that all changed in that very final scene between Arthur & Merlin which had me weeping tears of sadness.....
And I shall be having the great pleasure of seeing Colin Morgan acting live on stage soon, in a production of The Tempest at the Globe Theatre in London. I can't wait!
Merlin, series 1 trailer...
Merlin, series 5 trailer...
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